CCS Medication Safety & Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is the care specialist's first action?
- Crush the medication and hide it in food
- Document the refusal and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Administer the medication by force
- Discard the medication without documentation
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the nurse
Medication refusal must be documented and reported to a nurse so the care team can follow up appropriately.
Question 2: Which of the following is a sign of a potential allergic reaction to medication?
- Increased appetite
- Hives, rash, or difficulty breathing (Correct answer)
- Improved energy levels
- Slower heart rate
Correct answer: Hives, rash, or difficulty breathing
Hives, rash, and difficulty breathing are classic signs of an allergic reaction and require immediate reporting.
Question 3: What does 'PRN' mean on a medication order?
- Give every morning
- Give as needed (Correct answer)
- Give before meals
- Give at night only
Correct answer: Give as needed
PRN is a Latin abbreviation meaning 'pro re nata,' or as needed, based on the resident's condition.
Question 4: A care specialist notices a medication label is torn and partially unreadable. What should they do?
- Give the medication based on memory
- Ask another aide to guess the label
- Do not administer and notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Re-label the medication themselves
Correct answer: Do not administer and notify the nurse immediately
An unreadable medication label creates a safety risk; the nurse must be notified before administration.
Question 5: Which route of administration delivers medication directly into a vein?
- Sublingual
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
- Topical
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream via a vein.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the 'medication administration record' (MAR)?
- To order new medications
- To track which medications were given, when, and by whom (Correct answer)
- To store unused medications
- To list residents' dietary restrictions
Correct answer: To track which medications were given, when, and by whom
The MAR is a legal document that records every medication dose administered, including time and administrator.
Question 7: When should a care specialist wash their hands during medication administration?
- Only after completing all residents' medications
- Before and after each resident's medication administration (Correct answer)
- Only if gloves are not available
- Only when handling liquid medications
Correct answer: Before and after each resident's medication administration
Hand hygiene before and after each resident prevents cross-contamination and reduces infection risk.
CCS Medication Safety & Administration 2
A resident refuses to take their prescribed medication.
What is the care specialist's first action?